Load-Matched Unilateral Versus Bilateral Squat Training in Elite Youth Futsal Players (FUTSAL-SQUAT-V)

Effects of Velocity-Based Unilateral Versus Bilateral Squat Training on Physical Performance in Elite Youth Futsal Players: A Randomised Controlled Trial

This randomised controlled trial compared the effects of two load-matched squat training modalities on physical performance in elite youth futsal players. Seventeen players from the Antioqueña regional futsal squad in Colombia were randomly allocated to either a unilateral squat training group or a bilateral squat training group. Both groups completed a six-week velocity-based training programme, with two supervised sessions per week, while continuing their usual futsal training.

Training intensity was prescribed using mean propulsive velocity targets across three two-week blocks. The main outcomes were countermovement jump height, single-leg countermovement jump height for the right and left limbs, 10-metre sprint time, and estimated squat one-repetition maximum. Secondary descriptive data included 20-metre sprint time. The study aimed to determine whether unilateral squat training produced superior adaptations compared with bilateral squat training when training load was objectively standardised.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sprint Performance; Futsal; Jump Performance; Athletic Performance Enhancement
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Velocity-Based Unilateral Squat Training; Behavioral: Velocity-Based Bilateral Squat Training

Detailed Description

Elite futsal requires repeated accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and lower-limb power actions within a compact playing area. Because many sport-specific actions occur under unilateral support, unilateral lower-body strength training is frequently proposed as a more specific conditioning strategy than bilateral strength training. However, previous comparative studies have often failed to equate training intensity objectively across unilateral and bilateral exercises.

This parallel-group randomised controlled trial was designed to compare unilateral and bilateral squat training under velocity-based training standardisation. Eligible elite youth futsal players were allocated to one of two training groups: unilateral squat training or bilateral squat training. Randomisation was conducted using matched pairs based on estimated one-repetition maximum and a permuted-block sequence generated in Epidat 2.0. Outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. Participants and training supervisors were not masked because blinding is not feasible in exercise modality interventions.

Both groups trained twice weekly for six weeks. Each session included three sets of six repetitions. The unilateral group performed six repetitions per leg per set using the single-leg squat, while the bilateral group performed six bilateral squat repetitions per set. Training intensity was prescribed using mean propulsive velocity targets: 1.00 metres per second during weeks 1-2, 0.92 metres per second during weeks 3-4, and 0.85 metres per second during weeks 5-6. Three minutes of passive recovery were provided between sets. All participants continued their usual futsal training programme during the intervention.

Assessments were performed at baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session. Testing included 10-metre and 20-metre sprint performance using photoelectric cells, bilateral countermovement jump testing, single-leg countermovement jump testing for both limbs, and progressive squat load assessment with a linear position transducer. Estimated one-repetition maximum was calculated from the mean propulsive velocity obtained during progressive squat loading.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 17
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Colombia
  • Antioquia
    • Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia, 054080
      • Tecnológico de Antioquia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Competitive futsal experience of at least two years.
• Affiliation with the Antioqueña regional futsal squad.
• Technical proficiency in bilateral squat and single-leg squat execution, verified by an accredited specialist.
• No musculoskeletal injury during the three months before enrolment.
• No pharmacological, ergogenic, or supplementary intervention likely to influence physical performance.
• Exclusive participation in standard futsal training during the intervention period.
• Written informed assent from the participant and written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian when required by age.

Exclusion Criteria

• Musculoskeletal injury during the three months before enrolment.
• Inability to perform bilateral or single-leg squat exercises with acceptable technique.
• Participation in another structured lower-limb strength training programme during the study period.
• Use of pharmacological, ergogenic, or supplementary interventions likely to affect performance.
• Failure to complete baseline testing, the training intervention, or post-intervention testing.
• Withdrawal of participant assent or parental/legal guardian consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Unilateral Squat Training; Participants allocated to this group completed six weeks of unilateral squat training. Training was performed twice weekly, with three sets of six repetitions per leg per session. Training intensity was prescribed using velocity-based training targets based on mean propulsive velocity. Target mean propulsive velocities were 1.00 metres per second during weeks 1-2, 0.92 metres per second during weeks 3-4, and 0.85 metres per second during weeks 5-6. Three minutes of recovery were provided between sets. Participants continued their usual futsal training during the intervention period.	Behavioral: Velocity-Based Unilateral Squat Training; A six-week supervised unilateral squat training programme prescribed using mean propulsive velocity. Participants performed single-leg squats twice weekly, with volume standardised at three sets of six repetitions per leg per session.
Active Comparator: Bilateral Squat Training; Participants allocated to this group completed six weeks of bilateral squat training. Training was performed twice weekly, with three sets of six repetitions per session. Training intensity was prescribed using velocity-based training targets based on mean propulsive velocity. Target mean propulsive velocities were 1.00 metres per second during weeks 1-2, 0.92 metres per second during weeks 3-4, and 0.85 metres per second during weeks 5-6. Three minutes of recovery were provided between sets. Participants continued their usual futsal training during the intervention period.	Behavioral: Velocity-Based Bilateral Squat Training; A six-week supervised bilateral squat training programme prescribed using mean propulsive velocity. Participants performed bilateral squats twice weekly, with volume standardised at three sets of six repetitions per session.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Countermovement Jump Height	Countermovement jump height was assessed using a contact mat system following a standardised jump protocol. Participants performed five valid trials, and the mean of the middle three trials was used for analysis after discarding the highest and lowest values. Higher values indicate better lower-limb explosive performance.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session
Change From Baseline in Right-Limb Single-Leg Countermovement Jump Height	Right-limb single-leg countermovement jump height was assessed using a contact mat system. Participants performed unilateral jump trials using the right limb, and the mean of valid trials was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better unilateral lower-limb explosive performance.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session
Change From Baseline in Left-Limb Single-Leg Countermovement Jump Height	Left-limb single-leg countermovement jump height was assessed using a contact mat system. Participants performed unilateral jump trials using the left limb, and the mean of valid trials was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better unilateral lower-limb explosive performance.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session
Change From Baseline in 10-Metre Sprint Time	Sprint acceleration performance was assessed over 10 metres using photoelectric timing gates positioned at 0 and 10 metres. Participants completed two maximal sprint trials separated by passive recovery, and the fastest trial was retained for analysis. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session
Change From Baseline in Estimated Squat One-Repetition Maximum	Estimated squat one-repetition maximum was calculated from progressive squat load testing using mean propulsive velocity recorded with a linear position transducer. The highest-velocity repetition at each load was retained, and one-repetition maximum was estimated using a validated load-velocity equation. Higher values indicate greater maximal strength.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in 20-Metre Sprint Time	Sprint performance over 20 metres was assessed using photoelectric timing gates positioned at 0, 10, and 20 metres. Participants completed two maximal sprint trials separated by passive recovery, and the fastest trial was retained. This outcome was retained as descriptive because a relevant baseline imbalance was observed between groups.	Baseline and within 72 hours after the final training session

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Federal University of Vicosa

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 9, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: team sport; neuromuscular adaptation; strength and conditioning; load-velocity profiling; inter-limb asymmetry
• Other Study ID Numbers: FUTSAL-SQUAT-VBT-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because the study involved a small cohort of elite youth athletes from an identifiable regional squad, which increases the risk of re-identification even after de-identification. Aggregated results are reported in the manuscript, and additional aggregate information may be made available upon reasonable academic request where ethically appropriate.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No